Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s recent declaration of a public health emergency in the state in response to the growing opioid addiction epidemic, also noting that from 2000 to 2012, the number of unintentional opiate overdoses increased by 90%.
The declaration grants emergency powers to the DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett, who will work to implement initiatives including universally permitting first responders to carry and administer Naloxone, which can reverse overdoses, prohibiting the prescribing and dispensing of any hydrocodone-only formulation (Zohydro), and mandating the use of prescription monitoring by Doctors and Pharmacists. Find out more by clicking here!